"It's not only the judges that all get furious when the Home Secretary makes a parody of a court judgement, our commission who are helping us form our view on this are not going to be entertained by laughable child-like examples being given."

He also told the political correspondent: "I expect I will have to wear body armour the next time I meet Theresa."

But the Daily Mail has claimed that the home secretary is in fact correct. It reports that the judge feared separating the man from his cat risked "serious emotional consequences".

Clarke later issued a statement in which he said he regretted the "colorful language" he used during the interview.

"I consider this issue closed. The prime minister has made the position clear, and I fully support it," he said.

"There is a problem with deporting foreign prisoners, which I have always agreed with Theresa needs to be addressed. The Government's Commission on a Bill of Rights is under way.

He added: "I do rather regret the colourful language I used at one point in my interview."